Parliament petitioned over Commonwealth road funding

15/12/94

Thousands of Western Australians have petitioned State Parliament demanding a better road funding deal from the Commonwealth.

The petition, containing more than 11,000 signatures, was tabled today in the Legislative Council by Transport Minister Eric Charlton, who said critical proposed road projects would not proceed in the future under the current Commonwealth/State road funding arrangement.

"There is a projected annual funding shortfall of $40 million over the next 10 years to spend on National Highways alone," Mr Charlton said.

"For other State roads, the shortfall is $110 million a year over the next decade - a total funding shortfall of $150 million annually.

"The petition is a clear sign of the depth of concern within the public of WA about the decline of our road system caused by this inadequate level of Commonwealth funding."

Speaking after the tabling of the petition, Mr Charlton praised the efforts of the 'Fix Australia - Fix the Roads' committee for bringing the dilemma of the State's road funding to the attention of WA and the rest of the nation.

"Clearly, some important projects are in jeopardy unless an appropriate level of funding is obtained and guaranteed in the long term," Mr Charlton said.

"Unless urgent action is taken now, the next generation of Western Australians will inherit a problem of unmanageable proportion.  Major infrastructure such as roads must be maintained and expanded."

Mr Charlton said he had received many requests to give the 'Fix Australia - Fix the Roads' campaign more of a national focus and he said he expected organising committees to be established in other States in the New Year.

WA's work had already been recognised with Australian Transport Ministers asking the State to chair a review into national road funding needs.  The review will report to the next ATC conference to be hosted by Perth next April.

"Economic development, the environment and employment are suffering and road trauma and the cost of living continue to rise because of the funding crisis," Mr Charlton said.

"The State Government is doing its part.  It has increased State-sourced road funding by $60 million in its first two years of office and is returning all untied Federal road funds to the road budget.  It is now up to the Commonwealth to take on its responsibility properly.

"A properly looked after road system underpins the wealth and health of a nation, and the Commonwealth must return more of its Federal fuel levy collections to roads before it is too late."

Media contact:  Dean Roberts  (09) 321 7333